Tim Murphy Quotes From Ivy Football Teleconference

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. - Tim Murphy, the Thomas
Stephenson Family Head Coach for Harvard Football, recently took
part in the Ivy League's weekly teleconference. Below are his
quotes from the event.

Additionally, coach Murphy will give more insight into his Crimson
as he takes part in the weekly New England Football Writers'
Association Luncheon Wednesday afternoon at Harvard's Dillon Field
House.

The event - the nation's oldest weekly football media gathering,
now entering its 81st season - begins at noon and features head
coaches, players and administrators from around the region from all
levels of NCAA competition. For the first time, this year's event
will be streamed live via the web on GoCrimson.com.

Fans can login to Harvard's Multimedia section of the website to
watch the streams. Recaps of the event will be posted in the
afternoon and will be sent to media and area schools as well. Local
fans can do even better as the event is open to the public for a
fee of $10 per person.

Each school's coach/administrator will speak briefly about his
team's last game, a preview up the upcoming games and an assessment
of his team's top players. Additionally, the weekly Gold Helmet
Award is given to the preceding week's top players. The award is
sponsored by the Gridiron Club of Greater Boston and the weekly
winners - one from Divisions I and one from Divisions II/III - are
presented with a plaque.

Tim Murphy Quotes from the weekly Ivy League Teleconference
Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Harvard Head Coach Tim Murphy opening
statement:
It was a very solid win at Columbia we got off to a very fast start
with a 21-0 first quarter lead and that took Columbia out of their
game plan. Getting off to a quick start was something we thought
was very important. We did make some mistakes of our own but we
continue to play extremely hard and play well as a whole. We don't
dominate in any phase but continue to be very solid.

Linebacker Jon Takamura from Hawaii had not played much prior to
this year but has had a tremendous senior season. He had six solo
tackles, three for a loss, two sacks and another interception - it
is the type of thing he has done throughout the season and is
tremendous for people to see what he can do.

As far as the Penn game is concerned, they are by far the best
team we've played thus far. I don't think anyone has crossed the
goal line against their first team defense in the last three games
which is incredible. Penn has as dominating a defense as I've seen
in a long time - maybe in my time here (at Harvard). They are
ranked number one in the Ivy League in every single defensive
statistical category which is not something I've seen before. They
are exceptional.

On Penn's No.1-Ranked Rushing Defense Going Against
Harvard's Top-Ranked Ivy Rushing Offense:The obvious thing (in this game) is 1) be balanced (on
offense); we can't become predictable; and 2) block (Penn's
defenders). (Penn) is not easy to block however with their skill
and personnel. If we can do those things, we can move the football
but it will certainly be a challenge. They are much different from
any team we have seen before.

On Harvard Usually Playing Meaningful Games Late In The
Season And Learning From Those Experiences:
We look back as a coaching staff and talk to our team about just
that (experience). The way our schedule works and the way Penn has
been an unbelievably strong team over the years, a championship is
always going to come through Penn and Yale in weeks nine and 10 of
the season. If we're going to accomplish it in 2009, it's the same
thing.

One, our kids know that Penn is always going to be there (at the
end of the season). The second thing for us is knowing that you've
got to play with confidence. Teams without confidence don't win
games.

On Saturday, the team that wins the ball control ratio will win
this game. You've got to play your best to beat the best and if you
don't do that against a team like Penn you're simply not going to
achieve those goals (of winning a championship).

Keys For The Harvard Defense on Saturday:One thing is to stop the run. The one thing that has been
materializing for the Penn team of late however is an ability to
throw the football in recent weeks. You can't just gang up on
the run, put nine guys in the box and just expect to stop them.
They have become a more balanced (and) unpredictable team. They
threw for over 300 yards against Brown so they are not
one-dimensional.

On Harvard QB Collier Winters Importance on
Saturday:
(Collier) doesn't have to do any better on Saturday (than the rest
of the season). What he has to do is manage the game - have
patience, good decision making and take care of the football. Of
course, the higher the stakes, the more that becomes the variable
for a quarterback. It's going to take 11 guys to get it done.